Putting Reason In Its Place

Have you ever heard a Christian reject the whole idea of making a case for Christianity or defending the faith? Often times, it’s because of a negative experience they have had with a brother or sister which paints the whole thing as being quarrelsome and argumentative. But this doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, it shouldn’t be.

Dr. Ramesh Richard explains a strategy which couches reasons to believe in the context of being a friend and a Christian presence in someone’s life.

“Too many apologists get to reason first. There’s an old Indian proverb which goes, ‘You don’t cut off a man’s nose and give him a rose to smell.’ We try to do that with the Lord Jesus all the time. Here is this amazing gift of eternal life that we can give to people. And then we destroy them in the process of contest and debate.

When all you’re (supposed to be) doing is firstestablishing the groundwork of relationship, then presenting gently and straightforwardly, but gently, the claims for the gospel. And then, of course, a reason for the hope that is in you.”